Sam Fender stadium gigs to provide 'multi-million-pound boost' to North East

Sam Fender's St James' Park gigs next June are expected to deliver a multi-million-pound boost to Newcastle's tourism, leisure and hospitality businesses, industry bosses predict.

The North Shields singer songwriter delighted 100,000 fans last summer with two sold out gigs at the stadium of his home town club. And he'll be back for more in June 2025, it was announced this morning, with a further two gigs at St James' Park, following the tour of his third album People Watching in the UK and Europe.

The news has not only gone down well with fans, but the city's tourism and hospitality businesses are rubbing their hands together. Last summer's gigs are estimated to have given the North East economy a £15m boost, and there are hopes the newly-announced gigs will have a similar effect next year.

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Ian Thomas, director of visitor economy at the NewcastleGateshead Initiative, told ChronicleLive: "Major events like this play a significant role in driving up overnight visits and generating fantastic levels of spend in our tourism and hospitality businesses, this in turn, creates jobs and opportunities for those who live in our communities and ensures the benefits of these live experiences go on long after the event. The area’s visitor economy stands to benefit massively from what is sure to be an unforgettable set of concerts."

Ian added that it was an exciting time for the region's creative and cultural sectors, with the gigs announced soon after Warner Music UK's plans to establish a major studio facility in Newcastle were unveiled.

Stephen Patterson, chief executive of NE1 Ltd, which represents the interests of 1,400 businesses in Newcastle city centre, said that the previous Fender gigs were a "huge celebration of the city, its people, its musical and sporting history and its heritage." He added: "Sam's concerts next year will be sold-out shows attracting audiences of over 50,000 each night, which will deliver a multi-million-pound boost to city centre hospitality and leisure businesses, and create a major buzz in the city."

He also paid tribute to the "spectacular asset" of St James' Park, which will host Magic Weekend once again in May 2025 after a one-year absence. The Rugby League weekender is expected to further boost local businesses by somewhere in the region of £6 - £9 million.

Stephen finished: "St James' Park is the jewel in Newcastle's crown, a rare city centre Premier League stadium in the heart of the city centre, a short walk away from all the city has to offer. It is so important that the city continues to attract and host events of this scale and calibre, and we need more of them to support jobs, grow the economy, and continue to put Newcastle on the map.

"We know how to put on a world-class show and can't wait to welcome back Sam Fender."